Category Archives: Martyr

Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Justin Martyr, Feast Day June 1

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St. Justin Marty by Theophanes the Cretan Public Domain Image
St. Justin Martyr
by Theophanes the Cretan

The Feast Day of St. Justin Martyr is celebrated on June 1. He is a martyr and the patron saint of philosophers.

St. Justin Martyr was born at Flavia Neapolis, Palestine about the year 100. He was raised pagan in a Jewish culture. Justin was a student of philosophy. He was very interested in the teachings of Plato. As a student he studied a multitude of different philosophies before converting to Christianity. After his conversion, Justin began to proclaim his new found faith as he traveled from town to town trying to convert others to the faith. He also spent a great deal of time in Rome. After debating Crescens in Rome, Justin was denounced and condemned to death. Records of his death still exist. He was beheaded in 165.

St. Justin was known as an Apologist. An apologist is one who defends in writing the Christian faith. Two of his Apologies still exist. They are addressed to the Roman emperor and to the Senate. St. Justin is considered the first Christian Philosopher and the patron saint of philosophers.

The greatest grace God can give someone is to send him a trial
he cannot bear with his own powers…and then sustain him
with His grace so he may endure to the end and be saved.
Quote of St. Justin Martyr

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.



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Faith, Martyr, Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John I, Feast Day May 18




St. John I Public Domain Image
St. John I

The Feast Day of St. John I is celebrated on May 18.

Pope John I was born in Tuscany, Italy. Little is known about his early life. He was elected pope one week after the death of his predecessor Hormisdas on August 13, 523.

There was great turmoil during the time of his election. The heresy of Arianism (the belief that Jesus was not divine) was causing persecution in many areas. Pope John was frail but he was the first pope to travel to Constantinople. He counseled the Byzantine emperor Justin, who persecuted heretics, to treat heretics with mercy. He celebrated Easter Mass in Constantinople before returning to Rome.

The king of Ostrogoths, Theodoric, was an Arian Christian. Because the edict against Arianism had not been lifted he became furious. While Pope John was returning to Rome, he had him kidnapped and imprisoned. St. John died in prison of thirst and starvation on May 18, 526. He is honored as a martyr.

When Doubting Thomas was refuted face to face, all mankind was given instruction.
Quote of St. Paulinas of Nola; Feast day June 22

May is the the Month of Our Lady

Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Matthias, Feast Day May 14




St. Matthias Public Domain Image
St. Matthias

 

The Feast Day of St. Mathias is celebrated on May 14. St. Mathias was not one of the original twelve Apostles. He was not present at the Last Supper.

After the suicide by hanging of Judas Iscariot, the Apostles decided to choose either Mathias or Joseph called Barsabbas to replace Judas Iscariot. They prayed, saying. “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Acts (1:24) They drew lots and chose Mathias to replace him.

Mathias preached in Judea, Egypt and Ethiopia. Stories of his martyrdom vary. It is believed he was stoned and beheaded.

St. Mathias is the patron saint against alcoholism and smallpox. He is also the patron of carpenters.

 

“Who except God can give you peace? 

Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”

 

Quote of St. Gerard Majilla;   Feast Day October 16

 

May is the Month of Mary

Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Carthusian Martyrs, Feast Day May 11




Carthusian Martyrs Public Domain Image
Carthusian Martyrs

 

 

The Feast Day of the Carthusian Martyrs is celebrated on May 11. The Carthusian Order was founded in 1084 by St. Bruno of Cologne. It was a strict order. Its members lived as hermits, focusing on contemplative prayer. It consisted of 25 houses with 350 male and 75 female members. They came under attack during the Hessite Revolution in Bohemia in the 15th century.

In 1537 during the English Reformation the London Charter house was dissolved. Its members were put in prison and later executed when they refuse to declare King Henry the head of the Church of England. King Henry issued the “Act of Supremacy” declaring any who refused to take an oath recognizing him as head of the Church of England to be guilty of high treason. Eighteen Carthusians refused and were sentenced to death.

The first Carthusians to be martyred were hanged, drawn and quartered. All were tortured before they were martyred. Eighteen were beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886. Three were canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI.

 

“Our Lord likes courage.  Get it from Him.

  You won’t find it in yourself.”

 

Quote of St. Katherine Drexel; Feast Day March 3 

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

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Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Florian, Feast Day May 4




St. Florian Public Domain Image Patron Saint of Firefighters
St. Florian
Patron Saint of Firefighters

 

The Feast Day of St. Florian is celebrated on May 4.

St. Florian was born in the third century in what is present day Austria. He became a commander in the Roman army. One of his duties was leading the firefighting brigade. Florian was a Christian during a time of persecution. He refused to participate in the persecutions the army was ordered to do. He also refused to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods.

When Florian’s beliefs became known it was suggested that he be burned to death as many Christians were during that time.  Florian stated that he would climb to Heaven on the flames of the funeral pyre which was made for him. The soldiers then decided to use a different method to execute him. They flogged him and then flayed him. A large stone was tied around his neck and he was set on fire before being thrown into the Ennis River to drown.

St. Florian died in the year 304. His body was recovered and moved to the Augustinian Abbey of St. Florian near Linz, Austria.

St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters. Many miracles of healing are attributed to St. Florian. He is considered a protector from danger of both fire and water.

A great flame follows a little spark.

Quote by Dante Alighierri

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

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Apostle, Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Philip and St. James, Feast Day May 3



Martyrdom of St. Philip by Jose Ribera Public Domain Image
Martyrdom of St. Philip
by Jose Ribera

 

The Feast Day of St. James the Lesser and St. Philip is celebrated by the Church on the same day, May 3. They are both Apostles and martyrs.

St. Philip was also one of the original apostles. He was born in Bethsaida, Galilee and was a follower of John the Baptist. He was present at the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. He was also present at the Last Supper. During the Last Supper, it was Philip who asked Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus responded by teaching them about the unity of the Father and the Son. After the resurrection Philip preached in Greece and Syria. St. Philip died a martyr. He was crucified upside down at Hierapolis under the rule of Emperor Domitian.

St. Philip is the patron saint of cooks and bakers.

St. James the Lesser was one of the original twelve apostles. The title Lesser probably meant he was younger than James the Greater. James was a cousin of Jesus and brother to St. Jude Thaddeus. St James the Lesser was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He was known for his devotion to the poor. He was beaten to death with a club while praying for his attackers.

St. James the Lesser is the patron saint of fullers and pharmacists.

 

Martyrdom of the Apostle St. James the Less by Master of the Winkler Epitaph Public Domain Image
Martyrdom of the Apostle St. James the Less
by Master of the Winkler Epitaph

 

 

“Teach us to be generous, good Lord.  Teach us to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing we do Your will.”

Quote of St. Ignatius of Loyola; Feast Day July 31

 

May is the Month of Our Lady.

 

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Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Mark, Feast Day April 25




St. Mark the Evangelist
St. Mark the Evangelist

 

The Feast Day of St. Mark the Evangelist will be celebrated on April 25.

St. Mark was born into a Jewish family. St. Mark was one of the first disciples of Jesus. He was not one of the original twelve apostles. St. Mark is the patron saint of notaries and lawyers.

St. Mark accompanied St. Paul and Barnabas (his cousin) on their missionary journey to Cyprus. St. Mark is the author of the second gospel. This gospel is the oldest gospel and was written in Greek for Gentile converts. It is believed St. Peter requested him to write this gospel.

Much of what we know about St. Mark we have learned from tradition. It is believed that Mark is the man who carried water to the house where the Last Supper took place. It is also possible he was the man who ran away naked when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:51-52) St. Mark is believed to have been present at the Wedding at Cana when Jesus turned the water into wine. (John 2:1-10)

When St. Peter escaped from prison he went to the home of Mark’s mother. Mark went to Alexandria to preach. He then founded the church in Alexandria.

St. Mark died a martyr, being dragged through the streets with a rope around his neck in the year 68.

The symbol of St. Mark is a winged lion. The lion represents the way the gospel should be preached. St. Mark is the patron saint of lawyers.

 

On the feast day of St. Mark let us pray:

O God, who exalted blessed Mark the Evangelist, by the grace of preaching the Gospel, grant that we may profit by his teaching and be defended by his prayers. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

The Bible is a letter from the Almighty God to His creatures.
Quote of St. Gregory the Great

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

St. Mark the Evangelist in Art

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Cletus, Feast day April 26




St. Cletus

 

The Feast Day of St. Cletus is celebrated on April 26.

St. Cletus was a Roman by birth. He was ordained by St. Peter the Apostle. He served as the third bishop of Rome, succeeding St. Linus who followed St. Peter. According to tradition, Pope Cletus divided Rome into 25 parishes. Records show that he ordained 25 priests.

The name Cletus means “one who has been called”. Pope Cletus served as pope for twelve years before he was martyred in the year 92 during the persecutions of Domitian. His relics are buried near St. Linus in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The humility of our divine Savior and His most blessed Mother

was always accompanied by a perfect obedience.

 

Quote of St. Francis de Sales; Feast Day Jan. 24

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

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Benedictine Saints, Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elphege, Feast Day April 19




St. Elphege
St. Elphege

 

The Feast Day of St. Elphege is celebrated on April 19.

St. Elphege was born in 954 to a noble Saxon family. He became a Benedictine monk at Deerhurst Monastery in Gloucestershire, England. After several years he left to become a hermit at Bath where he became abbot. His rule was strict, requiring diligent prayer and service. In 984 he became the Bishop of Winchester. He worked tirelessly to help the poor trying to eliminate poverty in his diocese. In 1006, he was appointed archbishop of Canterbury.

Persecutions by the Danes were taking place at this time. When Canterbury was sacked and burned St. Elphege was taken captive. Because he refused to cooperate in there ransom demands they became angry and drunk. They pelted him with oxen bones and stones and then killed him with an axe in the year1012. As he died he prayed for his attackers.

Just look how these days, when “Alleluia” is ringing in our ears, our spirit soars!…If these days fill us with such tremendous joy, what will that day be like when we are told “Come, you blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom.” when all the saints are gathered together?

Quote of St. Augustine; Feast day August 28

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

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St. Elphege

Faith, Martyr, Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Martin I, Feast Day April 13




St. Martin I
St. Martin I

 

The Feast Day of St. Martin I is celebrated on April 13.

St. Martin was born in Tuscany, Italy in 316. He became a deacon serving in Rome. In the year 649 he was chosen as the 74th pope.

Pope Martin  called the Lateran Council which condemned the heresy of Monothelitism, which claims Christ had no human will. The Lateran Council explained the two natures of Christ: both human and divine. This position put him in opposition to Paul the Patriarch of Constantinople.

Pope Martin was kidnapped while he was sick from the Lateran Basilica. He was tortured and imprisoned. He was condemned to death but at the last moment he was saved from execution by the repentance of the Patriarch. He was imprisoned instead and then exiled to an island which was suffering from a famine.

Pope Martin soon died in 655 from the effects of the torture and imprisonment. Pope Martin I is last martyred Pope.

“The trees stand as though dead, but these, though lifeless in the winter, are green in the spring, for God, knowing your disbelief, each year effects a resurrection in these visible things, that seeing what occurs in inanimate creatures, you may believe concerning the animate rational beings.”

St. Cyril of Jerusalem; Feast day March 18

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist

Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Sts. Irene, Agape and Chiona, Feast Day April 3




Sts. Irene, Agape and Chiona
Sts. Irene, Agape and Chiona

Sts. Irene, Agape and Chionia were sisters living in Salonika. Their feast day is celebrated on April 3. They lived during the reign of Emperor Diocilian in a pagan family. In 303 he issued a decree making it an offense punishable by death to possess sacred Christian writings. The sisters owned several volumes of Holy Scriptures which they kept hidden.

The three sisters were arrested for refusing to eat food that had been offered to the Gods. The governor (Dulcetius) questioned each of them. Agape answered his questions by saying…

“I believe in the living God and will not by an evil action

lose all the merit of my past life”

St. Chionia and St Agape were sentenced to be burned alive. Irene, because of her age was to be imprisoned. After her sisters were executed, the house was searched and the forbidden books were found. Irene was sent to a brothel where she was forced to strip naked. Miraculously she was protected from harm. After once again refusing to conform she was sentenced to death. She died either by being forced to throw herself into flames or by being shot in the throat with an arrow. The books were publicly burned after her death.

The martyrdom of the three sisters is recorded in an existing document.

“It is in loving the cross that one discovers his heart.”

 

Quote of St. Bernadette; Feast day April 16

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist

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Sts. Irene, Agape and Chiona

Faith, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Anacleto, Feast Day April 1




Bl. Anacleto
Bl. Anacleto

 

The Feast Day of Bl. Anacleto Gonzalez Florez is celebrated on April 1.  

Bl. Anacleto Gonzalez Florez was born on July 13, 1888 in Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Mexico. He studied law during a time of persecution.

Anacleto was greatly involved in social and religious activities and a member of the Catholic Association of Young Mexicans. He taught religious education, wrote articles and books and was dedicated to works of charity. In 1922 he married Maria Concepcion Guerrero and they had two children.

Anacleto joined the League for the Defense of Religious Freedom after four journalists were murdered. He began a weekly newspaper named “Word”. He was periodically imprisoned; however, he preached the gospel to inmates while in prison.

In 1927 guerrilla warfare spread. Anacleto wrote bulletins from his hiding places. He was captured on April 1, 1927 in the home of the Vargas Gonzalez family. He and two of the Vargas brothers were arrested. Anacleto was tortured be being hung by his thumbs until his fingers were dislocated and having the bottoms of his feet slashed. He refused to give his captors any information.

Bl. Anacleto was sentenced to death and was shot with the Vargas Gonzalez brothers and Luis Padilla Gomez on April 1, 1927.

The last words of Bl. Anacleto were….“I die, but God does not die. Viva! Cristo Rey!”

“Well, Lord, if this is how You treat Your friends,

no wonder You have so few!”

Quote of St. Teresa of Avila; Feast day Oct. 15

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist

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